Docking Port

The docking port is a proprietary connector usually providing a PCI or ISA extension interface. It is featured on many ThinkPads to provide the option of attaching it to one of the various Docking Solutions, thereby extending its extendability.

There is multiple types of docking ports, however there is no strict and official classification of them. List of laptops with docking port is divided into multiple groups of which each uses same docking port type, and lists Docks which use this port. However not all laptops will be compatible with all docks in given group, some will not work, or will have limited funcionality.

Not all docks use full capabilities of each port. For example "replicators" generally do not have any electronic components, and just use wires to connect docking port to port in the dock (like VGA, PS/2, RJ-45, serial port, parallel port, audio, USB, charging power). Port replicators then expose exactly same ports as in the laptop itself, however sometimes exposes few more (like serial port, parallel port, DVI port), which could not be on laptop itself due space or cost concerns. "Docks" however are more complicated - they have replicated ports just like replicators, but additionally uses all capabilities of the docking port (including PCI, ISA, IDE interfaces), needs additional power, can have various additional capabilities (like additional USB ports, PCMCIA, CardBus slots, ISA or PCI slot, UltraBay slot).